Kindle Fire HDX and other tablets?

[ny biker]

I know there are other threads here about tablets and e-readers, but they're pretty old and technology changes quickly, so... I currently have a laptop (Windows-based) and an Android smartphone. I'm seriously considering getting a 7" Kindle Fire HDX to complement these two gadgets.

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00BWYQ9YE/ref=kin_comp_sm_th_txt

Today while I was out shopping I stopped into Best Buy and played around with one, and I liked it. The screen looked great and the interface was very intuitive, which is important because I don't have patience for technology that is not intuitive. The price is reasonable, plus it's on sale this week.

I see that it gets very good reviews on websites that review technology, like cnet and pcmag. But those reviewers are very techy people who often have different priorities than I do. So I'd like to ask for input from real people who I trust, i.e., folks on TE who have a Kindle Fire of some kind.

I'm interested in the Kindle for web surfing, email access, playing a few games (mostly Words with Friends and some kind of solitaire) and reading books and magazines. I don't think I'll use it for watching TV and movies, though I guess that could change at some point. I imagine I will probably play music on it, though I'd want to be able to transfer music files from my laptop (I tend to be happy listening to the same old CDs rather than buying lots of new music).

I have a few specific questions. How much memory is enough? 16gb? Also I'm not a big cloud user, though it seems I will probably end up storing things on the Amazon cloud if I get a Kindle. Will I hate the cloud, find it frustrating or restrictive, or is it a good, useful and trustworthy thing? Is it easy to transfer files between a pc and the Kindle? Will I curse them for not including a slot for an SD/micro SD chip or thumbdrive? Is there something else either wonderful or really annoying that I'm not even thinking about but should know before buying?

A little more background on why I'm thinking of getting a Kindle --
1. I used to read a lot back in the day. Lately, I hardly read at all, but I do waste time playing games on my phone. I think having an e-reader will get me reading again -- if the games and the book are on the same device, I think I would close the games and open the book instead. Also I'd rather read digital magazines than paper ones, and it will be easier to bring reading material with me when I travel.

2. I currently have to use my laptop for work, bringing it with me to and from the office every day. Most nights when I get home I am too lazy to take the laptop out of my backpack, take out the power cord, plug it in and open it up. Instead I use my phone to check email and look up anything on the internet that I need to look up. It would be easier to do these things on a tablet instead of the phone. And (I hope) it would be easier to type things on a Kindle, like responses to threads on TE and to Facebook posts, than it is on my phone.

Thanks very much for any insights and information you can share.

[Irulan]

I will speak to the parts that can relate to general tablet use and general e-reader. I have an iPad and a Nook, so the technology is different but some things are the same.


1. I used to read a lot back in the day. Lately, I hardly read at all, but I do waste time playing games on my phone. I think having an e-reader will get me reading again -- if the games and the book are on the same device, I think I would close the games and open the book instead. Also I'd rather read digital magazines than paper ones, and it will be easier to bring reading material with me when I travel.

2. I currently have to use my laptop for work, bringing it with me to and from the office every day. Most nights when I get home I am too lazy to take the laptop out of my backpack, take out the power cord, plug it in and open it up. Instead I use my phone to check email and look up anything on the internet that I need to look up. It would be easier to do these things on a tablet instead of the phone. And (I hope) it would be easier to type things on a Kindle, like responses to threads on TE and to Facebook posts, than it is on my phone.


1. sounds like a good plan. I have to put down the ipad and pick up the Nook to read; easier said that done lol. However, consider the screen. The dedicated e readers have a non glare screen, which is much less tiring on the eyes than a standard glassy screen.

2. Convenience.... omg... I love my tablet for the exact reasons you state. I look things up online all the time. All the time. Take quick glances at my email, surf the web for things that pop into my head, keep my grocery list.... its endless what you can do with it.

[thekarens]

Kindle should be fine for the things you're using it for. I went with the Nexus 7 because I wanted the apps I had bought on the Google play store on my tablet. You can't do that on the Kindle unless you are willing to root your Kindle and tweak it. If you're only playing games like Words With Friends this shouldn't be an issue for you because you can get it free on Amazon's app store.

As far as cloud storage goes I'm a fan when it comes to things like movies, music and pictures. 16gb should be enough if you use the cloud. My tablet is 32gb, but I have several very large apps on it so I wanted the space.

[TrekDianna]

One short comment. I travel a lot so a kindle was much better for me than lugging around books. I have the Kindle 3 (the one with the keyboard) and I have a Kindle Fire. I used the Fire once. Just once and went back to my Kindle 3. Some of my flights I take are 15 hours and the Kindle Fire only held a charge for 8 hours or so. My other can go a month without recharging. I would prefer not to carry the charging cord with me when I am only traveling with a backpack.

[rebeccaC]

Did you compare reading and viewing on the 8.9 vs the 7? Unless money is a real consideration I'd go at least 32gb if not 64gb just to have the room and so the processor doesn't slow as you add more data. I always get more memory and a larger hard drive than I think I'll need especially with something I can't add more to. Audible books take up a lot more data storage so keep that in mind if you think you'll use those. No experience with the cloud. Besides work which is backed up on the companies servers I really only have my photographs to think about saving off my computer. I trust external hard drives over a cloud for those, especially for security. I still prefer paper books and my music is on my iPad air, which I also use to get photos off my camera if needed while out photographing or to quickly work on and to show to or send them off to someone.

For what you want to do the Kindle should be great!

[Catrin]

I agree, get more memory than you think you will need, it is amazing how easy it is to fill it up especially with music and you don't want it to slow down as you add more data as Rebecca pointed out. I do like the cloud for music, don't know how well it works to stream music to your Kindle from the cloud or if it is better to store it on the device (I stream it from the cloud to my Samsung Note II phone). I've been considering getting a Nook HD or other tablet for the same reason you are considering - though to be truly useful for me for work I would need to find a device that I can use a Citrix VPN connection to my computer at work. I suspect that would have to be a Windows device and I don't know that I am willing to do that. I DO like the non-glare screen of my basic Nook device, and the battery life just rocks.

I think those are all great reasons to get the device, good luck with your decision! I've been building up my home gym or I would have already pulled the trigger on something like this.

[Helene2013]

I had a Sony e-reader thinking I would read a lot on it, and charges kept a long time. Well I ended up selling it after reading only one book. The reading style was perfect. But it was not really fun to do internet (even to get books). Magazines would not have been fun, etc. So I sold it to a friend who is super happy with it.

I have an Nexus tablet I use at lunch time at work. I love it very much. I can do it all, and I read a lot of books on it.

I have at home a 2014 note 10.1 tablet. Still in love with it. Does all I want to do and more. Got a 32g because it's all they had in the store but a 16g would have been ok for me. I do not keep much stuff in there because they are not my main "working" tools.

I have a Asus - big screen and way too heavy now laptop, which is my preferred choice for daily things, but do not read books on it. If I need to type something, I will definitively use my laptop. I hate hate hate typing on tablets. Almost a pet peeve of mine. Needless to say I don't type much on a smart phone. ah.

So for reading, if you want to read magazines (which are much nicer with colour), I'd try something a tad bigger if you can. I find 10'' tablet is great. My 7'' one is good but I don't think I'd like using it as much as my note 10.1. If I could get a 12'' tablet I think I'd go for it. But that's me. :p

[rebeccaC]

though to be truly useful for me for work I would need to find a device that I can use a Citrix VPN connection to my computer at work. I suspect that would have to be a Windows device .

Be nice to whoever does your IT work :)....There are Citrix Receiver App's for both Android and OS X. An IT person should be able to help you figure it out. I can connect with my iPhone, iPad air and Macbook pro.

[ny biker]

Thank you all for your input. I went to the store at lunchtime to look at them again. The 8.9 is definitely a better size for reading. The reviews indicate that it also has better battery life than the 7". Unfortunately it's not on sale like the 7" versions are.

I think I am deciding between the 7" with 64gb and the 8.9" with 32gb. The larger screen size with 64gb is really more than I want to spend. Actually the 8.9 with 32gb is more than I want to spend, but I'm having a bit of a hectic week at work right now, the upside of which is that I get paid for some OT, and I was thinking that this would be an early 50th birthday present to myself...so I will think about it for a couple of days and maybe will decide to go with one of the 8.9 tablets.

Thanks again!!

[snapdragen]

I went with the Nexus 7 32 gig because of the android os. I prefer my Kindle paperwhite for reading, I just don't like the shiny screen on the Nexus for reading. The Nexus has been a lifesaver during chemo, I'm able to stream Netflix, thus starting a major House of Cards addiction while I get my infusion. :D

[thekarens]

I went with the Nexus 7 32 gig because of the android os. I prefer my Kindle paperwhite for reading, I just don't like the shiny screen on the Nexus for reading. The Nexus has been a lifesaver during chemo, I'm able to stream Netflix, thus starting a major House of Cards addiction while I get my infusion. :D

I have the same combo. Love my kindle Paperwhite for reading in bed and my nexus 7 for watching tv in bed :-)

[TigerMom]

I was trying to be "cheap" and use my Kindle Fire for BOTH reading and internet searches and games and movies.

Unfortunately, my eye strain was killing me when I used the Kindle Fire as an e-reader. I even have an anti-glare screen cover on my Kindle Fire.

So, now, I only use my basic Kindle e-reader that a friend gave to me for free to read books.

[Crankin]

I have a Kindle that's old and only for reading. While I like the ease of taking it on vacation and quickly getting my books, I miss going to the library... I kind of don't get why you would need a Kindle to do stuff like search on line. I mean, I if I really have the urge, when I'm not at home, I use my phone.

[OakLeaf]

I have an older Kindle, but I've wound up doing all my reading on my iPad. It's so much more versatile. Yeah, the Kindle is lighter and easier to hold, but when I'm away from home I only want to be hauling around one device, and the iPad (plus Bluetooth keyboard) replaces both reader and laptop.

And, depending on your library, you might be able to browse the new e-book acquisitions just as you'd browse the print editions.

[ny biker]

I have a Kindle that's old and only for reading. While I like the ease of taking it on vacation and quickly getting my books, I miss going to the library... I kind of don't get why you would need a Kindle to do stuff like search on line. I mean, I if I really have the urge, when I'm not at home, I use my phone.

I find the phone is too small. It's a pain to type anything longer than a text and it can be very hard to really search for something online, when you need to drill down through multiple pages of a website.

And having to use my laptop for work everyday, carrying it back and forth to the office everyday, it is just wearing me down and I end up leaving it packed up in the bag when I get home instead of taking it out to use it. In theory this is a temporary arrangement, but there is no end in sight. It doesn't make sense to buy a second pc so that I can keep one at home and one at work, because if they ever do get us pcs at work then I will have an extra that I have no need for. I think a Kindle would fill the gap so I can use the web at home more easily without needing to unpack the laptop, and it would be better for traveling than having to bring my laptop with me or be limited to the small screen of the phone. I never go to the library now, I don't have the time or the energy to fight traffic to get there. I don't want to buy more books or subscribe to magazines because I don't have room for them in my tiny condo. With a Kindle I can get books and magazines from the library without having to leave home, I can buy them online if I want to, and I can still get a physical book now and then if it's something special that I will want to keep.

One lesson my father taught me was to really think long and hard before making a big purchase, to be sure that it's something that I will really use and that will be worth spending the money on. I think this is something that will be useful for me. I have to work late tomorrow night, but I'll be running some errands either at lunch or in the evening, and I plan to pick up the Kindle then.

Thanks again for everyone's input.

[Irulan]

I second the idea that a phone is a couple of steps this side of worthless for much more than cursory web use. Sure it can be done, but not efficiently.

[Catrin]

This is an interesting discussion. My huge desktop (a very large all in one unit) is showing signs it may not be long for this world. I've learned I can indeed get the kind of mobile connection I need for work via Android...While I don't need to make up my mind now I am starting to lean toward something like the Nook HD+, a Nexus or something like that rather than a traditional laptop or desktop. My home computing needs have really changed over the years.

My phone is large but still isn't comfortable for serious browsing. Thanks to NY Biker for starting this thread!

[Irulan]

For those of you looking to "work" on a tablet, really do some research into this. Even with an add on keyboard, many apps don't even come close to the functionality of software for ease of use and features. I know more than a few people that thought they'd be able to work off a tablet (lawyers, realtors to name a few) and you just can't do it. For writing the the occasional email sure why not but any serious word processing, spreadsheets, document editing or similar, forget it.

[Catrin]

For those of you looking to "work" on a tablet, really do some research into this. Even with an add on keyboard, many apps don't even come close to the functionality of software for ease of use and features. I know more than a few people that thought they'd be able to work off a tablet (lawyers, realtors to name a few) and you just can't do it. For writing the the occasional email sure why not but any serious word processing, spreadsheets, document editing or similar, forget it.

Good point here! If I do this, it would be mainly for reading books, magazines, checking forums and light browsing. The only real work would be to log into my computer at work and check on the status of a model run and start the next (just click a couple of buttons). Thankfully I've time to decide, at least I hope so. I've been thinking about this since last summer.

[ny biker]

The Kindle Fire HDX comes with a version of Microsoft Office, and I briefly played around with Excel and Word while I was at the store the other day. It would not be fast and easy to edit documents on that tablet. I could see the convenience of being able to view documents, though, and I think you'd be able to print them to a wireless printer.

So I agree with Irulan. Judging from the laptops that some of my coworkers are using, it's possible to get a very small, light laptop these days, and for many people they would be better suited for portable work devices than a tablet would be. Though for my job, I prefer a full-size keyboard with a numeric keypad and a much larger screen.

For me, the Kindle would be for fun, not for work.

[Crankin]

Yes, Oak, and this is why the old Kindle just for reading is fine for me. I just don't do a lot of searching or work, except on my lap top or a desktop at work. I occasionally used to have to look up something for a client, when I was going to their homes, and I would use my phone. Basically, the only sites I go to on my phone are TE and Facebook. I do buy all of my clothes on line, but I reserve that for the real laptop. The day I start ordering from Banana Republic and Athleta on my phone is the day I need an intervention! I have a subscription to Peloton Mag which goes to DH's I Pad. I absolutely hate reading it on that format, because the photography is just awesome; it's bike porn. I want to see it in print. I do get Momentum in print, as well as digital updates on line. I don't mind reading words on line, but the pictures/graphics, I don't like so much. So far, I have resisted getting a tablet, as I don't think I'll need one. We'll see. I use DH's to read the paper, as our paper delivery is horrible. It rarely arrives before 8:30. Plus, in the winter, I end up driving down the driveway to get it... bad.

[rebeccaC]

The Kindle Fire HDX comes with a version of Microsoft Office, and I briefly played around with Excel and Word while I was at the store the other day. It would not be fast and easy to edit documents on that tablet. I could see the convenience of being able to view documents, though, and I think you'd be able to print them to a wireless printer.


While there’s not the level of multitasking compared to my laptop, with my Ipad air with 128gb flash storage and CloudOn (a free IOS app) I can connect to my office and create, review and edit files using Microsoft Word, Excel and Powerpoint or with iWork's Pages, Numbers and Keynote....and yes wirelessly print, even to my Epson photo printer. My first fully optioned Macbook air 11 had basically the same power, storage and memory as my now iPad air. Technology just keeps getting faster with more usability. The Ipads/tablets will too. Even though they differently aren’t a full work replacement now for a lap/desk top they can be used for a lot more now than just a few years ago including business tasks. As I wrote earlier in this thread my iPad air is mostly for photography though.

Personally I feel my Macbook pro 15 isn’t that heavy or large to travel with if I have the workload while traveling to need it. The Macbook Air 11 can now be bought with 512gb flash storage and 8gb of memory for those who want a small, light laptop for working while traveling or even at home.

[Crankin]

I feel the same way about my older MacBook Air. It is so thin and light, I have no issues carrying it. I don't, though, usually. DH has a MacBook Pro and and a little teeny Mac Book that he uses for travel. And an I Pad (that is basically for getting stuff to our Apple TV device since we dropped cable).

[rebeccaC]

I want to see it in print. I do get Momentum in print, as well as digital updates on line. I don't mind reading words on line, but the pictures/graphics, I don't like so much.

there are some incredible high resolution screens now even on tablets!

[OakLeaf]

Well, I wasn't talking about an iPad as a complete computing solution. Only for something to take out of the home/office.

Now, granted I've been doing this since it was an infrared connection between my Palm device and a folding keyboard ... and another infrared connection between my Palm and my flip phone to get 57,600 internet. :D But to me, even that was preferable than hauling a laptop everywhere (which in those days, laptops weighed a whole lot more, too). And it still would've been an IR connection to a flip phone to get internet!

DocumentsToGo does an adequate job of being able to edit WP and spreadsheet files on the go, and transfer them back and forth, IME. The main reason for that is that it's compatlble with MS Office, which I don't know ANYONE who understands how that klunky, counterintuitive, useless interface became the office document standard, over beauties like Nisus Writer ... I have to think that the day is pretty close when we'll have a full-featured tablet office suite and everyone will be able to shove that MS nonsense ...

As far as screen resolution, tablets have all but the highest-end laptops beat. It's incredible stuff.



ETA ... that just reminds me of Monday when DH took a picture of me handing the One Run baton off to the next runner. She said, "What did we do before our iPhones?" I said, "Well, he used to have to wait for prints and haul a flatbed scanner everywhere." The woman is just looking at us like, "dude, it was a rhetorical question ..." :D

[colorisnt]

So, it depends on how much time you want to spend doing actual word processing or computing but I bought a tablet for commuting. My old laptop was getting heavy to carry back and forth and I wanted something to read things on for my dissertation (I was sick of paper and I wanted to still take notes so it works). I got the Surface Pro when it was on super-sale after seeing a colleague with one at a conference. Now, only the Pro has real compatibility with computing tasks (stats programs, a VPN for things, etc), but the Windows interface is super seamless on their tablets and I prefer it to the desktop and laptop models. The keyboard is also pretty good. 90% of the time, I find myself using the tablet and it weighs less than half that of my laptop.

But, again, I use my tablet for a LOT of computing tasks and word processing. I've made most of my lectures on it, too. It's easy. But that's what makes it worth the high cost. A Fire HD has very little utility for me because I use my phone as an internet box. The tablet is more than that and I paid for that utility. I wouldn't recommend it for someone looking to mostly use a Surface Pro 2 as an internet box.

[Catrin]

NY Biker - what did you decide to do?

I am facing a similar question this week and am trying to decide whether to go with a Kindle HDX (probably not), Nexus 7 2013 (possibly), Galaxy Tab 4 (7 inch), or Galaxy Tab Pro 8.4 (most expensive). I've placed a moratorium against any purchase until Friday - sometimes I pull triggers too quickly and wind it spending far too much. The two Tabs are both quite attractive, but if the Nexus 7 2013 will do everything I need it to do then I may go with it over the Tab 4. From what I've read, though older, the Nexus 7 2013 has a far higher resolution than the brand new Galaxy Tab 4 line, but I've read of some performance issues with the Nexus 7 that might kill it for me. Outside of the Kindle I can run the Citrix software to connect to my computer at work to click buttons (basically), which is one of the reasons I won't choose the Kindle.

[ny biker]

I'm very happy with the Kindle HDX. It's great for email, web surfing, Words with Friends. I like their Twitter app. The browser is fast and the battery lasts me for several days (with the screen brightness turned down, but I prefer it that way). The screen resolution is ridiculously good. Amazon's customer service is fantastic and the Mayday button is a great feature. The only downside was that I had some trouble with the wifi. When resetting the device didn't solve the problem, they sent me a new one (overnight shipping). It was inconvenient to deal with but they've done everything possible to fix the problem.

I've gotten some magazines from the library and a few free books from Amazon. They require you to use One-Click for digital purchases, which means you either have to let them save your credit card number or enter a gift card number. I do not want to let them store my credit card -- I just had it replaced because I used it at Target last winter when they were hacked. This has delayed my purchasing a few books that I have my eye on, since I haven't had a chance to get a gift card yet. But I haven't had much time to read lately, anyway.

Though it is easier to use the Kindle for typing emails, etc. compared to a smartphone, it is still not as easy as it is to type with 10 fingers and a regular keyboard. So the Kindle would not be useful for my job. There is some kind of VPN built into it, but I haven't looked at it because I don't want my job invading my personal time.

[Catrin]

Cool! I've a couple more questions about your experience. Given it's an Amazon device, have you noticed increased ads? Have you side loaded any apps from the Google Play Store? I've read it is easily done. Lastly, what is the thing you like least about the HDX?

[ny biker]

Cool! I've a couple more questions about your experience. Given it's an Amazon device, have you noticed increased ads? Have you side loaded any apps from the Google Play Store? I've read it is easily done. Lastly, what is the thing you like least about the HDX?

There are ads on the home page when I wake the device up. You can pay a bit extra to get rid of them, but they don't bother me. I tried to load Zinio (magazine app) from the Play Store but it downloaded to my smartphone instead. I didn't bother to try to reroute it to the Kindle because I was able to download it directly from Zinio's website to the Kindle.

The things I like least are the fact that I needed to get a new one due to the wifi problem, and the fact that Amazon requires One-Click with a stored credit card account to buy anything digital. I guess the app choices are limited; I've been able to find most of what I wanted, but I really haven't wanted very much. I've found that it can sometimes be difficult to move around an online map (like Mapquest, Bing Maps, Ridewithgps.com) using the touchscreen. I have a free version of the app that allows you to view Microsoft Office files, but have not bought the version that lets you create or edit files because I think that would be hard to do on the tablet.

Note that I haven't tried to stream any TV shows, movies or music yet, so I can't comment on that.

If you have a Best Buy near you, you can go and play around with one. I think you might also be able to try one out at Staples. I tried mine out at Best Buy first, and then bought it from them.

[OakLeaf]

FTR, I create maps on ridewithgps.com on my iPad all the time, and it works seamlessly. Mapping running routes is one of the biggest reasons I need (rather than just like) computing power on the road.

I don't think there's a way to send them to the GPS from any tablet though. That's strictly for routes that get either memorized or written on paper.

[Catrin]

NY Biker, here is one of many links about how to side load non-Amazon apps (http://www.howtogeek.com/178357/how-to-sideload-apps-onto-your-kindle-fire/) on the Kindle HDX in case you are interested or find that you need/want something that isn't in the Amazon walled off app-garden.

I do appreciate all of the information and am still uncertain which direction to go. I may, in the end, just decide to hold onto the money but we will see.

[ny biker]

Thanks for the link, Catrin.

FWIW, my issue with mapping sites like ridewithgps or mapquest is related to using them with the touchscreen of the Kindle vs with the laptop's mouse. I was able to plan a ride route using the Kindle this weekend, but I had to be more careful about where I touched the screen when I was moving it around and clicking on roads.

[Catrin]

I hope it is helpful. The more I think about it, the more inclined I am just to keep my money. I tend to like snazzy electronic toys just a bit too much, and that is what this is starting to feel like :D It isn't like I don't already have a dedicated e-reader, and I am around a full computer MOST of my waking hours. I can't take a table running with me, and I can use my way too large phone (Note 2) to run my kettlebell timing program. It is SO easy for me to spend money on electronics!

[ny biker]

So, I'm going to strongly recommend that if you are looking to buy a tablet, do not even consider a Kindle Fire.

The original Fire HDX that I bought had to be replaced soon after I got it, due to wifi connection issues. I should have known right then that I was in trouble -- Amazon considers these things to be disposable. If you contact them with a technical problem, they tell you to press the power button for 40 seconds to restart it. If that doesn't work, they don't try to figure out what the problem is and if there could be a solution. They just immediately conclude that it's unfixable. If it's under warranty, they send you a new one. If it's not under warranty they tell you to do a factory reset. Wipe everything out and set it up all over again, like you have nothing better to do with your time, but don't think that the problem won't happen again because they're never actually going to try to fix anything. And when your barely-over-a-year-old Kindle just dies and won't start up, they say sorry, we don't repair Kindles, but we'll offer you $14 off the price of a new one.

I found it useful to have a device that's smaller and more portable than a laptop but bigger than a smartphone, with internet access and a decent camera. But my budget is really tight right now and I can't afford a new tablet. When I am able to afford one, it will not be anything from Amazon.

[Catrin]

I've suspected that was a problem with the Kindle tablets, thanks for your comments. I've the Kindle Paperwhite (which I love), and right after I bought my Samsung Galaxy Tab 4, Barnes and Nobles moved to THAT tablet for their tablet. I can't recommend it too highly, though I wish I had known that B&N was going to do that. If I'd waited for 2 weeks I would have saved quite a bit on my purchase but that is how things go. I really did like my Nook Touch, but it finally died and I do like the Paperwhite more than I did the Touch. That was a surprise!

[OakLeaf]

Just another thought, as long as we're reviving this thread, someone on FB posted about wanting something to read on the beach. They were mostly concerned about readability, but IME, every iPad I've had has overheated after only a little while in direct sunlight. If I even want to do a yoga video on the porch, I've got to make sure the iPad is in the shade.

No idea how other devices do in direct sunlight, though.

[Catrin]

Anything with a traditional backlit screen won't do well in the sun, traditional eReaders are the best in that environment but I don't know if there's an overheating problem too long in the sun. I lost my old Sony eReader by letting it get too cold.

[rebeccaC]

I've suspected that was a problem with the Kindle tablets, thanks for your comments. I've the Kindle Paperwhite (which I love), and right after I bought my Samsung Galaxy Tab 4, Barnes and Nobles moved to THAT tablet for their tablet. I can't recommend it too highly, though I wish I had known that B&N was going to do that. If I'd waited for 2 weeks I would have saved quite a bit on my purchase but that is how things go. I really did like my Nook Touch, but it finally died and I do like the Paperwhite more than I did the Touch. That was a surprise!

The kindle paperwhite and Samsung use E Ink screens which are excellent for reading. I use polarized sunglasses when viewing photos on my ipad in bright sunlight and that works well for me. I’ve never had an overheating problem that caused a problem even in desert heat. When in heat, and actually usually, I have location services disabled, auto brightness on, all apps and services closed unless i need to use them and don’t use it for graphic intensive games so my cpu isn't overworked....but then for me it's just a tool to use for the internet and getting an enlarged look at photos when i'm out doing photography.

[emily_in_nc]

Caveat: I did not read the entire thread.

Being a Windows geek without an Apple product to my name NOR a Smartphone, I bought an Asus Transformerbook T100 last fall to bring to Mexico in lieu of my full-size HP laptop. After using this since last October, I think it's the smartest electronics purchase I've ever made.

I have a Galaxy Tab 2.0 as well but found it too limiting, and after using Windows for so many years, Android was just too different for me to get really comfortable with. My T100 came with Windows 8.1 (which I will soon upgrade to Win 10, eek!) , and I was just more comfortable with that.

The tablet part easily clips off the keyboard for e-reading. I use mostly Blio to read books I check out from the library, but have also used the Kindle app.

With the keyboard clipped in, it functions just like a laptop, only smaller and lighter. I've gotten used to its small form and enjoy that I can have it in my lap without overheating, since the keyboard doesn't contain a hard drive so doesn't get hot. So I never need a desk and can compute in my lap wherever I happen to be.

I also like that it is racy red instead of boring black.

17754 17755

I bought it on Amazon. I am sure there are newer models now; I haven't even checked since I have no need for anything else for now.

[Catrin]

Just a note. Amazon sells both e-ink readers (the Paperwhite), and backlit tablets (Kindle Fire). The Samsung Galaxy Tab 4 that B&N sells is a traditional tablet as well. I do really like my Galaxy Tab 4.

Unlike Amazon, B&N no longer locks you into thier interface and software store. It is pretty much just the regular tablet where you can have any software you desire, I've both kindle and nook software on mine. For fiction, or reading outside, I use my e-ink reader, tablets aren't good for that.

[ny biker]

Caveat: I did not read the entire thread.

Being a Windows geek without an Apple product to my name NOR a Smartphone, I bought an Asus Transformerbook T100 last fall to bring to Mexico in lieu of my full-size HP laptop. After using this since last October, I think it's the smartest electronics purchase I've ever made.

I have a Galaxy Tab 2.0 as well but found it too limiting, and after using Windows for so many years, Android was just too different for me to get really comfortable with. My T100 came with Windows 8.1 (which I will soon upgrade to Win 10, eek!) , and I was just more comfortable with that.

The tablet part easily clips off the keyboard for e-reading. I use mostly Blio to read books I check out from the library, but have also used the Kindle app.

With the keyboard clipped in, it functions just like a laptop, only smaller and lighter. I've gotten used to its small form and enjoy that I can have it in my lap without overheating, since the keyboard doesn't contain a hard drive so doesn't get hot. So I never need a desk and can compute in my lap wherever I happen to be.

I also like that it is racy red instead of boring black.

17754 17755

I bought it on Amazon. I am sure there are newer models now; I haven't even checked since I have no need for anything else for now.

I thought about getting a 2-in-1. I'm required to provide my own pc for work and currently I'm using an old laptop with a separate larger monitor and keyboard (because the screen on the laptop is failing). But the laptop is very slow and will probably need to be replaced soon. So I thought a 2-in-1 would be good to use as a tablet outside of work and a laptop to connect to the monitor and larger keyboard at the office. Unfortunately right now a 2-in-1 is too expensive for me, especially since there's an outside chance that things will change at work and my employer will give me a pc to use.

I was pleasantly surprised to find that Galaxy Tab tablets are actually not too expensive. Right now I'm trying to figure out the difference between the different types -- Tab 4 vs 3 vs whatever. I like the fact that you can add memory with a micro SD card -- I think (am hoping) that means you can go with a less expensive tablet with 16GB and and then add storage with an SD card rather than paying more for 64GB in the tablet.

BTW to make this thread cycling related -- I recently was at a deli taking a break on a bike ride when I ran into someone I know through Facebook, a friend-of-a-friend who was in the middle of a self-supported 100-mile ride. He had a 7-inch tablet in his jersey pocket. I assume it had 4G capability, since he uses it to check in online during his rides and I doubt he's able to find public wifi in all those places. Anyway what really impressed me is what he uses as a "case" to protect it from sweat and the elements -- a large Halls cough drop bag. It has a zip-top closure and he said it's very durable.

http://www.walgreens.com/store/c/halls-sugar-free-menthol-cough-suppressant/oral-anesthetic-drops-menthol/ID=prod6003802-product

[Catrin]

Tab 4 is better than the Tab 3. Processor is better and thus is faster, among other things. Was also told they are no longer updating the Tab 3. I played with both before deciding and haven't regretted my choice.

[emily_in_nc]

ny_rider, My T100 was under $200. I got the one without the 500 Gb hard drive since it has a micro-SD slot. I use the SD card to store all my photos. It's certainly not a high-powered, fancy machine, but it works fine for everything I need to do. I love that it has a micro HDMI slot so I can pipe video to our flat-screen TV. It only has one USB port, but that's all I've found I need.

And, to keep this cycling-related, it came with a Crank Brothers sticker on the case! (Just kidding -- I added that).

17756

[smilingcat]

If you want to read in bright outdoor, get an e-ink display.

Unlike back lit screen, e-ink display "freezes" once the image or text is loaded up. so the screen can be powered down to save power. Display remains even if the screen loses power. When the screen needs updating because you've scrolled up or down, gone to another page, then it will use miniscule of power to update the screen. So e-ink is better if you are reading text or something where you are not having to change the image all that often. E-ink display is not very good if you want to play video games.

How the display gets updated is proprietary and e-ink wont even let chip designers who are building the driver for the e-ink will know. I should know! We hit a brick wall when we were designing a chip for the e-ink display.

Back lit, AM (active matrix) or LCD uses far more power than e-ink display.

[Flirty&Fit]

I'm a fan of keeping everything simple and practical, so I have the kobo app on my iPad. That way I have my entire e-reader library at my finger tips, plus all of my other apps that I use daily, including my outlook account. Sometimes reading on the train is all I want to do, but other times going through my emails or working on an article is time better spent.

Using my iPad makes the most sense because it condenses all of my needs into one device. Now my problem is that if I ever lose it for some reason, I will no longer know how to survive.

[ny biker]

I've been muddling along with a Galaxy Tab S2. It seemed easy and intuitive to use when I played with it in the store, but since I brought it home it's been somewhat frustrating. I had to turn off autocorrect because it was changing almost every word I typed into a totally unrelated word. The stock android browser drove me crazy, even though the old version of the same browser that I use on my phone is fine. I installed Firefox which is better but not perfect. For some reason the orientation won't change when I turn the tablet horizontal, which is really necessary for some websites. I found recommendations for Opera and one other browser (might have been Dolphin?) on the Android user forums, but the recent app reviews for both say "this used to be great but since the last update it's horrible." So I'm waiting and hoping that they will fix whatever they messed up soon.

The screen on the S2 is great, so I've been working on setting things up to use it for viewing photos and videos that I take with my great new Nikon camera, trying to figure out the easiest way to get photos from the camera to the tablet via my pc.

For reading, I've been using Moon+. So far I've only been reading technical stuff related to work and it's been working okay for that. I haven't tried to borrow or buy any novels or other non-work books yet. Next up I need to figure out how to download my Kindle books from Amazon's server to the tablet so I can read them when there's no wifi, i.e., on an airplane.

So I'm getting there, but have concluded that all of these things have a high annoyance factor. I'm kinda regretting getting the more expensive S2, given the price I pay in terms of being irritated and frustrated getting the tablet to do what I want. I'd be less ticked off I had paid less cash for it.

[Catrin]

There is both Kindle and Nook software for Android in the app store, they both work well and you can access all of your Amazon content this way. There is a setting for allowing the orientation to change based on how you're holding the tablet, but not all programs will change. Look in your settings for the "device" settings and check "auto rotate screen". This will work for most Android apps - I hope this helps! I've a Galaxy Tab 4 (10.1), not the S2 but that shouldn't matter.

[ny biker]

I have screen rotation turned on but it's not working for anything. I think it used to work.


===

Okay I rebooted and now it works again. The magical on/off button strikes again...

[Catrin]

I have screen rotation turned on but it's not working for anything. I think it used to work.


===

Okay I rebooted and now it works again. The magical on/off button strikes again...

Glad to read this! Amazing how often that seems to take care of things :cool: There are a few automatic updates that I've learned I really need to reboot afterwards or odd things happen with my tablet. Phone as well, but most often tablet.